Atlético Madrid players pose with World Cup trophy at stadium

Atlético Madrid gave their fans a rare photo op this week when the FIFA Club World Cup trophy showed up at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The gleaming hardware made its way pitchside before a match, giving players and supporters alike a chance to get up close with the prize they’ll be competing for this summer. The trophy’s visit was part of FIFA’s global tour promoting the expanded Club World Cup, a revamped 32-team tournament set to take place in the United States from June through July 2025. For Atlético, it was more than a marketing exercise. It was a preview of what they’re playing for in what will be the club’s first appearance in the modern format of the competition. A trophy on tour The Riyadh Air Metropolitano was the second stop on the trophy’s international journey, following earlier appearances in cities like New York and Lisbon. FIFA has been shuttling the cup around in a glass-panelled van, making it visible to as many eyeballs as possible before the tournament kicks off. The trophy arrived in Madrid on January 22 and stayed through January 23, 2025. During that window, it wasn’t just parked in a VIP lounge somewhere. The club organized a pitch display where fans could...